So how hard is it to build an amp from a kit?

[Loobster]

Quite tempted to order a Mojotone PR to build. I have very little experience building an amp or anything, but I'd love to do it. Are the instructions easy to follow and complete? Are the instructions thorough? I guess I'd need to have pretty good soldering skills, but is that it?

[bucknutz]

If you're not used to soldering yet, I would recommend starting small. There are many electronics kits that you can work through to get a hang of making good joints before you start poking around in something you want to make look and sound nice.

[chervokas]

Originally Posted by Loobster

Quite tempted to order a Mojotone PR to build. I have very little experience building an amp or anything, but I'd love to do it. Are the instructions easy to follow and complete? Are the instructions thorough? I guess I'd need to have pretty good soldering skills, but is that it?

Well, yes, and you need to have care with and knowledge of the circuits when you're working with powered tube amps -- such as when you'll be testing your new build and tweaking it, taking care, for example to discharge the filter caps, etc... because tube amps work at potentially leathal internal voltages.

Definitely a good idea to start small with some pedal builds or something. Get a good iron, like a Hakko. And read up and watch vids etc. about tube amps and safety. Familiarize yourself with schematics too if you can. A lot of kids out there don't have the world's greatest directions.

[ReginaldBisquet]

See:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=843360

I have had experience building/modifying pedals and guitar circuits. This was my first time building an amp from a kit.

@chervokas - yes, a lot of kids out there don't have any instructions.

[Custom Deluxe]

A lot of kids out there don't have the world's greatest directions.[/QUOTE]


Kits as well.

[Kurzman]

I don't know...everybody always answers this question by saying start with a small or simple amp like a Champ. I'd say start with something larger as the hardest thing about starting out is soldering in those tight spaces.
My first build was an Allen Sweet Spot (pretty much like a PR). It was painless. Just do it step by step. My next build was in a tweed like chassis and was a major pain. Just too cramped.
That's just my opinion.

[teemuk]

It's pretty impossible to answer this type of question without being very familiar with the skill levels of the person asking it.

Yes, at best it's easy: You just follow instructions.

Problems is, we don't know if you actually have the skills to follow the kit's instructions, we don't know if your "pretty good soldering skills" are actually sufficient or not, we don't know what tools you have in your possession, we don't know are your skills on par to cover a scenario where the amp doesn't work and the kit's instructions provide no guides to troubleshoot, we don't know if you are on par with working on high voltage and mains circuits, we don't know if you have the standards to judge your work's quality and not settle for stuff that looks unsafe, frail or subpar, in fact, we don't know if you have skills to distinct that.

I'm not saying you're not up to it. I'm just saying that the only person who really knows it must know your skills quite well. ...So, my opinion and advice is: If you're in doubt, start small.

If you don't know whether you can assemble an amp -properly- based on kit's instructions and parts then a very good chance is that you actually can't assemble it. I must stress the word "properly": It's quite easy to half-assily put together an amp based on instructions but that doesn't neccessarily provide the right outcome. Such amp can be more fragile, noisy, or in worst cases even pose a serious safety hazard. So, you must have the skills to unbiasedly judge your work's quality. You must also have skills to handle situations where things don't work out as planned, or more precisely as "instructed". Even pro's make mistakes, but they have the skills to correct them. Someone more or less just "painting by numbers" might not have that skill, which will then lead to a dubious outcome of the project.

So, start small with a project you can handle and advance from that. Once you're confident with your skills to put together an amp kit then get the kit.

[RupertB]

I wouldn't say it is hard but that depends on a couple of things: Patience & attention to detail. If you've got plenty, you'll probably enjoy the process. If you're one of those guys who doesn't like fishing because you can't make the fish bite NOW, then it probably isn't for you.

IMO, the best reasons to build an amp is because you like to work with your hands and want to learn more about how amps work. "Because I want X amp" or "to save a few bucks".... not so much. If the process isn't as valuable to you as the product, you're probably better off just buying an amp.

As far as directions & support, kit vendors are all over the map. Some are paint-by-numbers. Some will even troubleshoot your build for a small fee. Some are strictly DIY. Make sure you understand what you get before you buy.

Yes, soldering takes some practice. I re-did a good deal of the preamp wiring on my first build.

Starting simple is good advice. An amp that is complex, high-gain, or includes more features has more potential for oscillations, squeals, hums, etc. requiring post-build troubleshooting. Not saying "don't do it", just know what you're signing up for.

[CharlyG]

I can't imagine attempting it without some kind of electronic training. Heathkit had this problem years ago when they tried to sell a color tv kit. Even if they got it put together correctly, they were clueless about any kind of trobleshooting etc.

[Prairie Dawg]

Originally Posted by CharlyG

I can't imagine attempting it without some kind of electronic training. Heathkit had this problem years ago when they tried to sell a color tv kit. Even if they got it put together correctly, they were clueless about any kind of trobleshooting etc.

Or at least some familiarity with the subject material and some initial mentorship and skills building. I was lucky. One day about a million years ago (well actually it was 1971) my foreman at Ma Bell pointed at me and said "You. Get in your car and go to South River for the next two weeks. You're going to soldering school."

[teemuk]

Yes, soldering takes some practice. I re-did a good deal of the preamp wiring on my first build.

This is especially stuff of which a lot could be written. See, saying you can solder doesn't actually reveal too much because eg. soldering PC boards with small traces is entirely different than, say, soldering turret boards or other stuff with lots of thermal mass.

So, when you evaluate those "pretty good soldering skills" of yours, do take in heed the various types of things you may need to solder when assembling a kit and judge if you're on par with all that. Personally, I wouldn't use an amp kit as a "practice tool" since it can end up being pretty costy as that and the outcome of practice solder joints might not be up to the standards the build requires.

[CharlyG]

Back in the day, I spent much more time soldering on a circuit board, and it doesn't take me long to get back into it. Pots on the other hand.......... I kept burning em up recently, til I got the right wattage and temperature iron and some good paste.

[big mike]

i'd start with something with better support. Mojo just sells a kit. No help if there are issues.

If you've never started, go to General Guitar gadgets, or BYOC.com and do a pedal first. GREAT first project. My BYOC trem came out great (other than my hideous cosmetic job) and sounds awesome.

Then do a kit with moire support. I'd recommend 5E3 probably, or maybe an Allen kit...I did a Metro JTM45 kit...documentation and the metro forum were PHENOMINAL. And I still got it wrong, burned myself a few times, and finally posted some pictures for the eagle eyes there to show me what I diid wrong.

I can't IMAGINE not having some sort of resource if you got stuck, could be very difficult.

I've been tempted to do a PR kit from Marsh myself...Good luck whatever you decide.

[seeker]

My advice is to start with a single channel entry level type build. I chose the Lite 18 from Brown Note and it was fun , not difficult at all. Yes there are challenges, and you'll need the proper tools which will help. I had limited knowledge of building anything electronic, yet with a little research up front and with the help of the 18 Watt forum my amp fired up and worked great without any issues.
Still have it , not the cleanest build , but on my next kit I will have my mistakes to learn from and make a much better / cleaner build on my next kit.

H

[ontariomaximus]

Even a true beginner can do a kit....but not without a mentor. Fortunately, there are likely many people near you who would be willing to help. Ask around. For some reason, guys with electronics knowledge and soldering skills like to help others.